What took place between Ten Hag and INEOS chiefs in immediate post-Villa meeting as alarm bells ring

According to a fresh report from ESPN this afternoon, Erik ten Hag met with INEOS chiefs immediately after Sunday’s stalemate at Villa Park.

Manchester United’s performance on the day left a lot to be desired, with the goalless draw rounding off a new record for the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season, having claimed only eight points after seven matches played. Ten Hag broke the record he’d previously set this time last term, which saw the side tally eight points of the 21 available.

As a result, United enter the international break in 14th place, and while the manager did avoid defeat in his past two make-or-break matches, the expectation seemingly set by the owners was that he had to oversee convincing wins in both.

The INEOS hierarchy has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday in which they will discuss the Dutchman’s future in the dugout. Judging by this morning’s speculation, Thomas Tuchel may well come up in conversations as his successor – five months after negotiations broke down with the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss due to disagreements over power and financial terms.

Read more: ‘Problem of their own making’ – Two Ten Hag signings proved they weren’t ‘good enough’ to be starters before OT switch

Why Ten Hag is calm over his uncertain future

Yet, Ten Hag has jetted off to enjoy a break until United’s return to action on October 19, and that’s largely because he is confident in the belief that his position is safe for the foreseeable weeks. Rob Dawson’s piece reveals that the manager spoke with the club’s leadership team and ‘was not given an indication that his job is under immediate threat’.

Even so, you certainly wouldn’t anticipate he’ll be in the dugout come the new year.